Varanasi Ghats Undergo Massive Cleanup for Dazzling Dev Deepawali Festival

As the city of Varanasi gears up for the upcoming Dev Deepawali festival on November 5, an extensive cleaning operation is underway on the ghats along the Ganga river. According to a Varanasi Nagar Nigam (VNN) official, at least 70 diesel pumping sets have been deployed to remove the tons of silt that had accumulated on the ghats and their staircases after the recent monsoon floods.

With the water level of the Ganga now receding, the pace of silt removal has been accelerated to ensure the ghats are completely clean and ready for the festival. Silt removal contractor Vikram Kumar stated that the work is progressing rapidly, with around 10 pumps deployed at Assi Ghat and 20 diesel engine pumping sets in operation at Namo Ghat. Similar efforts are underway at other ghats across the city.

This year's task has been especially challenging due to the delayed recession of the river water, but the authorities are confident that all the ghats will be cleared of silt before the Dev Deepawali celebrations. Divisional commissioner S Rajalingam had earlier directed VNN officials to intensify the silt removal efforts, emphasizing that the ghats must be thoroughly cleaned ahead of the festival.

Varanasi is expected to glow in divine light this year, as over 10 lakh earthen lamps will be lit across the ghats on Dev Deepawali. According to Dinesh Kumar, joint director of tourism, a total of 10.10 lakh lamps will illuminate the riverfront, with several designer lamps and one lakh made of cow dung as a sustainable initiative. In addition to the cleaning, the historic ghats will also be adorned with facade and decorative lighting.